Fluid control valve



w. l.. HARBAUGH 2,593,558

April 22, 1952 FLUID CONTROL VALVE:

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1948 IN V EN TOR.

WAL TEF L. Ham-aaai;

April 22, 1952 w. I .HARBAUGH 2,593,558

FLUID CONTRO; VALVE z SHEETS- SHEET 2 Filed Jan. 28, 1948 IN V EN TOR. i021: 71ml. Fmmo'd;

BY: i

Patented Apr. 22, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID CONTROL VALVE Walter L. Harbaugh, Indianapolis, Ina. Application January 2s, 1948, serial No. 4,841

12 Claims. (Cl. 251-76) j The present invention relates to a iluid control valve, and is particularly concerned with the pro- Vision of valve mechanism adapted and intended for the control of uid motors. More particularly, it isan object of my invention to provide a valve mechanism of such character that it may be alternatively applied to control a fluid motor of the double acting piston type, or to control a plurality of separate uid motors of the single acting piston type, and so constructed that complete control of the motor can be effected through manipulation of a single operating element. A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described capable of use in controlling the flow of pressure iluid to and from one or more uid motors, in an organization in which the fluid under pressure is continuously supplied by a continuously operating pump, without the interposition of a pressure tank. A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is capable, through a simple adjustment, of being converted for use in a maintained-pressure system.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated and described in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is a, horizontal longitudinal section through one form of valve embodying my invention, together with a diagrammatic illustration of the connections between the illustrated valve mechanism and iluid motors to be controlled thereby;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the embodiment of myv invention illustrated in Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken upon the several planes indicated by the section line 3--3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective exploded view of the elements of a movement-limiting device embodied in my invention;

Fig. 5 is a central horizontal section through a modied form of valve mechanism embodying my invention;

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section therethrough;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 'I-l of Fig. 6; and

y Fig. 8 is a fragmental section in the plane of Fig. 6, showing means for converting the Valve for use in a maintained-pressure system.

Referring `more particularly to the drawings,

s it will be seen that the embodiment of my invenport I2 by 180 degrees, but axially aligned with said port.

The housing I0 is further provided, at points axially spaced from the inlet and exhaust ports l2 and i3, with an outlet port I4 and an outlet port I5'which, in the illustrated embodiment 'of' the invention, are 180 degrees peripherally spaced from each other, and axially aligned.

At points oppositely spaced axially from the inlet and exhaust ports I2 and I3, the housing is provided with a further pair of ports I6 and I1 which are 180 degrees peripherally spaced from each other, and axially aligned. A second exhaust port I8 is provided in the housing I0 at a point degrees removed from the ports I6 and I'l and axially spaced from the plane containing the axes of the ports I2 and I3 farther than are the ports I6 and I1. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the port I8 is peripherally aligned withA the port I3.

Reciprocably and oscillably mounted in the housing I0 is a cylindrical valve I9 which snugly ts the internal surface of the housing and is preferably provided with sealing rings 2D so spaced as to guard against axial seepage of fluid between the valve and the housing, in any permissible po sition of the valve. The valve is formed to provide two axially spaced, non-communicating chambers 2| and 22. One end of the chamber 2I is closed by a plug 23, secured in place by one or more screws 24, or the like, and provided with an axially projecting stem 25 which is journalled in the abutment element II, projects therethrough, and, beyond said. element, carries a manipulating' handle 26.

The other end of the valve is closed by a block 21, in which is formed the chamber 22, said block being secured in the valve by means of one or more screws 28, and having a stem 29 guided for movement in the abutment element II'. -A coiled spring 30 is confined between the block Z3 and the abutment Il, and a coiled spring 3l is confined between the block 21 and the abutment 3 I I, said springs cooperating to hold the valve I9 resiliently in its illustrated position relative to the length of the housing II).

The chamber 22 is in the block 21 may comprise, as in the illustrated embodiment, an axial bore opening through the inner end of the block, the open end of the bore being closed by a removable, threaded plug 32.

For reasons which will appear, it is essential to provide means for limiting the reciprocation or oscillation of the valve in the housing, such means being of such character as to permit either reciprocation or oscillation, in either direction, from a neutral position of the valve, but to prevent reciprocation when the valve has been oscillated in either direction from its neutral position, and to prevent oscillation when the valve has been reciprocably shifted in either direction from its neutral position. One such means is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4 and comprises a socket, indicated generally by the reference` numeral 33, formed inthe peripheral surface of the valve IS, said socket comprising a branch 34 elongated in the direction of the axis ofi the housing I0, and a branch 35 elongated in the direction of the periphery of the valve, said brances bisecting each other. For a reason which will appear hereinafter, the branch 34 is radially deeper than the branch 35. A screw 35 is threadedly mounted in a threaded, radial opening 31 inthe housing III, and has an unthreaded nose 38 which is adapted to be projected to varying degrees radially inwardly from the interior surface of the housing to engage in the socket 33.

The valve is formed with an inlet port 35 communicating with the chamber 2| and so positioned and proportioned as to register with the inlet port I2 of the housing in allpositions which the valve is'permitted, by the screw 35, to assume. The valve is further formed with a rst exhaust port 4D opening from the chamber 2I and registering with the housing exhaust port I3 when, and only when, the valve is in its neutral position.

At points spaced, in the directionk of the axis of the housing I0, from the inlet and exhaust ports, the valve is formed with two peripherally spaced outlet ports 44I and 42. When the valve is inY its neutral position, the ports 4I and 42 are axially aligned with the housing outlet ports I4 and I5; but the ports 4I and 42 are peripherally spaced from each other and, when the valve is in its neutral position, from the ports I4 and I5. It will be clear that oscillation ofA the-valve in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed from the right hand end of Fig. 1, willmove the port 4I into registry with the port I4; while clockwise oscillation thereof will movev the port 42 into registry with the port I5. i

At points oppositely spaced, in the direction of the 'axis of the housing I0, from the housing ports I4 and I5, but peripherally aligned with said housing ports, respectively, when the valve is in its neutral' position, the valve is provided with an additional pair of outlet ports 43 and 44. It will be clear that, when the valve is shifted toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, from its neutral position, the port 43 will be moved into registry-with the housing port I4; and when said valve'is shifted toward the left from suchV neutral posit-ion, the port 44 will be brought into registry with the portA I5.

- -A passage 45 extends radially from the chamber 2,2 through the block 21 and is always in registry with a port 46 formed in the valve I9. A

passage 41, both axially and peripherally spaced from the passage 45, leads from the chamber 22 radially through the block 21 and is always in registry with a port 48 formed in the valve I5. A passage 45, axially spaced in the opposite direction from the passage 45, and, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, degrees peripherally spaced from the passage 45, leads from the chamber 22 radially through the bock 21 and is always in registry with a port 50 in the valve I9. A passage 5I, axially spaced but peripherally aligned with the passage 41, leadsradially through the block 21 and is always in registry with a port 52 in the valve I9.

The Vports 45 and 50 are spaced respectively oppositely, in the direction of the axis of the housing I8, from the housing ports I6 and I1, in amounts corresponding to the spacing of the ports 43 and 44 from the ports I4 and I5; but the ports 45 and 53 are peripherally aligned with the ports I5 andl I1, when the valve is in its neutral position. Similarly, the ports 43 and 52 are axially spaced oppositely from the port I8 by amounts corresponding to the spacing of the ports 43 and 44 from the ports I4 and I5, but are peripherally aligned with the port I8 when the valve is in its neutral position. Thus, when the port 43 registers with the port I4, the port 46 will register with the port I6 and the port 48 will register with the port I8; and, correspondingly, when the port 44 registers with the port I5, the port 50 will register with the port I1 and the port52 will register with the port I8.

rIhe valve is formed with further ports 53 and 55 which, when the valve is in its neutral position, are oppositely spaced, in the direction ofY the axis of the housing III, from the port I3, by amounts corresponding to the spacing of the ports 43 and 44 from the ports I4 and I5, but are peripherally aligned with said port I3. Threaded plugs 54 and 55 are removably seataole in the ports 53 and 55, respectively, to seal said ports against iiuid flow, at times. In order to provide access to the plugs 54 and 55, the housing is formed, at points diametrically opposite the positions assumed by the plugs 54 and 58 when the valve is in neutral position, with openings 51 and 59 adapted to be closed by removable threaded plugs 58 and 50.

In Fig. l, I have illustrated diagrammatically a uid motor having a double acting piston, said motor being indicated generally by the reference numeral SI and comprising a cylinder 52 in which is reciprocably mounted a piston 63 dividing the cylinder into oppositely variable-volunie chambers 84 and 55. The flow circuits for operating the motor 5I are indicated somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. l. A conduit 56 leads from the housing outlet port I4 to a branched fitting 51 incorporating a check valve 68 designed to permit fiow through the conduit 55 away from the port I4, but to prevent ow through said ccnduittoward the port I4. From the iitting 5i, a conduit 65 leads to a conduit 10 which opens into the chamber E4.

A conduit-1I leads from the housing outlet port I5 to a similar branched fitting 12 incorporating a check valve 13 which permits flow through the conduit 1I from the port I5 but prevents reverse flow therethrough. A conduit 14 provides communication between the chamber 55 and the tting 12. A conduit 15 leads from the fitting i2 to the housing port I5, and a conduit 15 leads from the fitting 61 to the housing port I1.

When my control valve mechanism is connected to' thew motor 6I, in the manner above described, a-nd when the pressure ilow from a continuously operating pump (not shown) is connected to the inlet port I2, it will be seen that,

so long as the valve remains in a neutral position, pressure uid will flow into the port I2, through the port 39 and into the chamber 2I, and will thence bedischarged through the ports 40 and I3, to return to the intake side of the pump. If, now, the valve is shifted toward the right to bring the port 43 into registry With the port I4, ow from the chamber 2| through the housing exhaust port I3 will be interrupted `by reason of the fact that the valve exhaust port 48 is thereby moved out of registry with thehousing exhaust port I3. Flow will therefore be from the chamber 2| through the ports 43 and I4 and the conduit v66 past `the check valve 68 and through the conduits 69 and 10 to the chamber 64.' Fluid cannot flow from the tting 61 through the conduit 16, since the valve port 50 is out of registry with the housing port I1.

The stated adjustment of the valve I9 moves the port 46 into registry with the port I6 so that, as the piston 63 moves toward the left under the influence of fluid entering the chamber 64, fluid will be discharged from the chamber 65 through the conduits 14 and 15 and ports I6 and 46 and passage 45 into the chamber 22. The stated adjustment of the valve has moved the port 48 into registry with the port I8, so that the uid entering the chamber 22 will be exhausted therefrom through the passage 41, port 48, and port I8.

correspondingly, if the valve is moved from its neutral position toward the left to bring the port 44 into registry with the port I5, the port 48 is oppositely moved out of registry with the port I3. The port 58 registers with the port I1 and the port 52 registers with the port I8, whereby fluid will iiow from the chamber 2| through the ports 44 and I5, the conduit 1I, past the check valve 13, and through the conduit 14 into the chamber 65. Fluid cannot ilow from the fitting 12 through the conduit 15, because the port 45 is out of registry with the port I6. As the piston 63 moves toward the right, iiuid will flow from the chamber 64 through the conduits 10 and 69, the fitting 61, and the conduit1-6, to and through the ports I1 and 50, the passage 43, the passage 5I, and the ports 52 and I8 to exhaust.

The piston 63 may be stopped in any position of adjustment by returning the valve I9 to neutral position, wherein all ports communicating with the chambers 64 and 65 are blocked, and wherein continuous flow of uid from the pressure source will be maintained through the inlet port I2, valve port 39, chamber 2 I, Valve port 48, and exhaust port I3.

If it is desired to use the valve mechanism to control two single acting piston motors, a branch or continuation 11 of the conduit 89 will be connected to a cylinder 18in which is reciprocably mounted a piston 19 dening a variable-volume chamber 80; and a branch or continuation 8| of theconduit will be connected to a cylinder 82 inwhich is reciprocably mounted a piston 83 dening a variable-volume chamber 84. Now, the plugs 54 andA 56 are removed from the ports 53 and 55.

With the valve in its neutral position all communication between the inlet and exhaust ports I2 and I3 and the chambers 88 and 84 is closed, and flow from the pressure source will be through the l,control mechanism back to the pressure CTI source. It may here be stated that-a conduit connects the exhaust port I3 with a branched flt.- ting 86 incorporating a check valve 81 which per` mits iiow away from the port I3 but prevents iiow toward said port. A conduit 88 connects the fitting 86 with the intake of the pump (not shown); and a conduit 89 provides communica tion between the port I8 and the fitting 86.

Now, if the valve I9 is oscillated to bring the port 4I into` registry with the port I4, the port 4I] will thereby be moved out of registry with the port I3, and iiuid iioW will be from the inlet I2 through the port 39 into the chamber 2| and thence through the port 4I and port I4 to and through the conduit 66, past the check valve 68,.

and through the conduits 69 and 11 to the chamber 80. When the port 4| is in registry with the port I4all other ports in the organization, except the ports I2 and 39, are out of registry. When the valve I9 is returned to neutral position, the piston 19 and 83 will be held in adjusted positions,

If the valve is oscillated in the opposite direction to bring the port 42 into registrywith the port I5, the piston 19 will be unaffected, but oW will be through the inlets I2 and 39 to the chamber 2| and thence through the ports 42 and I5 and through the conduit 1|-, past the check valve 13, and through the conduits 15 and 8| to the chamber 84. Return of the valve to neutral position will hold the piston 83 in its newly assumed position. i

If, now, the valve is shifted toward the right to bring the port 43 into registry with the port I4, the port 53 will register with the port I3 and the port 48 will register with the port I8. Since iiuid can fioW from the chamber 2| through the ports 53 and I3 as rapidly as it enters said chamber through the ports I2 and 39, no uid will be forced through the ports 43 and I4 past the check valve 68 to enter the chamber 88, and the piston 19 will be unaffected. However, such movementA of the valve brings the port 46 into registry with the port I6 and the port 48 into registry with the port I8, thus exhausting the variable-volume chamber 84 to permit the piston 83 to move toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. Similarly, if the valve is shifted toward the left from its illustrated position, the ports 44 and I5 will register, the ports 55 and I3 will register, the ports 58 and I 1 will register, and the ports 52 and I8 will register, to exhaust the variable-volume chamber 88, without aiecting the piston 83.

The necessity for the movement-limiting means 33-38 now becomes apparent. Oscillation of the valve after reciprocation thereof from its neutral position, or reciprocation of the valve after'oscillation thereof from its neutral position, would obviously destroy the essential relationship among the various ports of the valve and housing, to damage either the pump or the circulating system of conduits. Further, from the above description of operation, it will be perceived that, when the valve is connected to control' a double acting motor such as 6 I, it must not be oscillated, all control being eiected by reciprocation ofthe valve. Therefore, when the valve ymechanism is connected to control a double acting motor such as -6 I, the screw 36 is projected inwardly until its nose 38 penetrates the socket branch 34 to a depth radially below the floor of the branch 35, thus positively holding the valve against oscillation,-

while limiting the degree of its reciprocation in opposite directions from neutral position. When, however, the valve mechanism is connected to control a plurality of single acting motors, such 7 as 18 and 02, the screw' is retracted sucientlyso that its nose '38 will not project radially below the. floor of the branch 35, whereby said screw cooperates with the socket 33 to limit both reciprocation and oscillation of the valve, while permitting either reciprocation or oscillation, in either direction, from a neutral position only of the valve.

In Figs. 5 to 7 I have disclosed a further, and in some respects preferable, form of valve mechanism coming within the scope of my invention. A cylindrical valve housing 90 is provided at its opposite ends with removable abutment elements 9| and 9|. A radial inlet port. 92 and a radial exhaust port 93 are provided in the housing, and the housing is further provided with a pair of peripherally spaced outlet ports 94 and 95. In this forni of the invention, the ports 92, 93, 94 and E5 may be axially aligned, by which I mean that the axes of the ports may be disposed in a common plane transverse to the housing 99. The housing is further formed, at points differently spaced from the above=mentioned plane, in the direction of the axis oi the housing, withtwo further ports 05 and 91, peripherally spaced from each other. A second exhaust port 98, still diierently axially spaced from the above-mentioned plane, may be peripherally aligned with the port 93, as shown.

A cylindrical valve 99 is reciprocably mounted in the housing 99, and is provided with rings similar to the rings 20 of the previously described embodiment of my invention. The valve is formed to provide two non-communicating chambers |0| and |02 separated by a transverse Wall H2. A block |93, secured to the valve by one or more screws' |04, closes one end of the chamber |0|, and is provided with a stem |05 guided in the abutment element 9 l. A block |91 may be secured in' theopposite end of the valve by one or more screws,v |09 to close the end of the chamber |02, and is provided with a stem |99 guided in the abutment element 9|. Coiled springs ||0 and cooperate with the blocks and abutment elements to hold the valve resiliently in its neutral position, axially of the housing. Movement-limiting means, comprising a socket ||3 similar to the socket 33, and a screw ||0 having a nose ||8 adapted to cooperate with said socket, will be provided.

In this form of the invention, the valve is provided with an enlarged inlet port ||9 having a substantial axial extent and having a peripheral extent greater than the minimum peripheral distance between the inlet port 92 and either of the. outlet ports 54 and S5, but less than the minimum distance between said outlet ports. The valve is formed with an exhaust port |20 which, when the valve is in its neutral position, registers with the housing exhaust port 93.

Opening from the chamber I9! are valve outlet ports |23 and |24', peripherally spaced from each other in an amount equivalent to the peripheral spacing between the housing outlet ports 94and 95, and oppositely spaced. in the direction of the axis of the housing 99, from the housing outlet ports 94 and 95, respectively, when the valve in its neutral position. The axial extent oi' the inlet port H9 is at least equal to the axial distance between the most remote portions of the ports |23 and |24.

Opening from the chamber |02 is a port ,|20 which, in the neutral position of the valve, is peripherally aligned with the housing port 96 but spaced therefrom, in the direction of the axis of 8. the housing 80, .by an amount equal to the spacing of the port |23 from the port 94. Ata point peripherally and axially spaced from the port |20, a port |29 opens from the chamber |02, said port being peripherally aligned with, but axially spaced from, the port when the valve is in its neutral position. A port |30 opens from the chamber |02 and is peripherally aligned with, but axially spaced from, the port 91 when the valve is in its neutral position, by an amount equivalent to the spacing of the port |24 from the port 95. A further port |32, peripherally aligned with the port |28, opens from the chamber |02 and is axially spaced from the port S8 when the valve is in its neutral position. The ports |28 and |32 are oppositely spaced from the port 98 by amounts corresponding to the spacing of the parts |24 and |23 from the ports 95 and 94.

Ports |33 and |35 open from the chamber |0| in peripheral alignment with the port |20, said ports being axially spacedA from the port |20 in amounts equivalent to the spacing of the ports |24 and |23 from the ports 95 and 94, when the valve is in its neutral position. Threaded plugs |34 and |30 are removably seatable in the ports |33 and |35 to seal the same against fluid flow; and in order to provide access to Said plugs, the housing is provided with openings |31 and |39 adapted to be closed by threaded plugs |38 and |40, respectively.

A conduit |45 leads from the port 94 to a branched tting |41 having a check valve |48 therein, and a conduit |49 leads from said ntting |41 to a point of use.

Similarly, a conduit |5| leads from the port to a fitting |52 embodying a check valve |53, and a conduit |54 leads from'the fitting |52 to a point of use. A conduit |55 connects the tting |52 with the port 90 and a conduit |56 connects the fitting |41 with the port 91.

A conduit |51 connects the exhaust port 93 with a branched fitting |58 embodying a check valve |59, and a conduit |69 leads from the tting |58 to exhaust. A conduit I0! connects the `port 98 with the fitting |58.

It will be clear that the-port I9 registers with the port 92 in all permissible positions of the valve. fhen the valve mechanism is connected to a double acting motor like that illustrated at 0|, the screw H0 will be sufciently projected to prevent oscillation of the valve. If the valve is now shifted from its neutral position toward the left as viewed in Fig. 5, the port |20 will be moved out of registry with the port 93, the port |23 will register with the port 94, the port |25 will register with the port 96, and the |32 will register withthe port 99. Fluid ow Will then be into the chamber |0| through the ports 92 and H9, and thence through the ports |23 and 94 and the conduit |40, past the check valve |48 and through the conduit |49 to one end of the motor cylinder; and from the other end of the motor cylinder through the conduit |54, ntting |52, conduit |55, port 95, and port |20 into the chamber |02, and thence through ports |32 and 98, conduit |01, iitting |50,and exhaust con"v duit |00 back to the pump. Correspondingly, if the valve is shifted toward the right as viewed in Fig. 5, ports |24 and. 95 will register, ports |30 and 9'! will register, and ports |23 and 98 will register. Flow will then be from the chamber |0| through ports |24 and 95 and conduit |5|, past check valve |53, and through fitting |52 and conduit |54 to one end of the iiuid motor; and from the other end of the uid motor, through conduit '|49, liltting |41, conduit |56, ports 91 .plugs |34 and |36 will be removed. Now, if it is desired to supply fluid to one motor, the valve will be oscillated to bring the port ||9 into a position in which it provides communication between the port 92 and the port 94. All other ports will then be out of registry, and iiuid will iiow through the conduit |49 to one motor. If

, the other motor is tov be supplied, the valve will be rocked in the opposite direction to shift the .Port |I.9 into a position in which it provides communication between the port 92 and the port ,95. All other ports being, at that time, out of registry, uid will flow through the conduit |54 to the other motor. In order to exhaust the first-mentioned motor, the valve will be shifted* to the right, as viewed in Fig. 5, whereby the port |24 will register with the port 95, the port |33 will register with the port 93, the port |30 will register with the port 91, and the port |28 will register with the port 98. Since fluid will be exhausted from the chamber through the ports |33 and 93 as fast as it is supplied through the port 92, no uid will ow through the ports |24 and 95 and past the check valve |53. Fluid will be exhausted from the iirst-mentioned motor, however, through the conduit |49, tting |41, conduit |56, and ports 91 and |30 to the chamber |02 and thence, through ports |28 and 98, conduit |6|, tting |58, and exhaust conduit |60. To exhaust the second-mentioned cylinder, the valve is moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, to effect registration of the ports |23 and 94, |35, and 93, |26, and 96, and |32 and 98; whereby iiuid may flow from the second-mentioned motor through conduit |54, fitting |52, conduit |55, ports 96 and |26, to chamber |02, and thence through ports |32 and 98, conduit |6|, fitting |58, and exhaust conduit |60.

All of the description thus far has presupported an organization in which the fluid under pressure to be controlled is supplied .by a continuously operating pump, so that such fluid must have some open flow path at all times. In Fig. 8, I have illustrated a construction whereby the valve of Figs. to 7 may be adapted for use in a pressure-maintained system. In such a system, of course, 'fluid is held, under pressure, in a reservoir; and a pump is provided with suitable controls so that the pump operates intermittently to restore a predetermined pressure condition in the reservoir whenever the pressure within that reservoir falls below a predetermined minimum.

As shown in Fig. 8, the valve 99 illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 may be provided with an outlet port |20. threaded or otherwise designed, for the reception of a suitable closure plug |62. With the plug |62 in place, the valve may be manipulated in the manner above described to control, selectively, a plurality of single acting uid motors or a. double acting iuid motor. course, the valve illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 might be similarly modied to provide plugging means for the exhaust port 40.

It will be readily appreciated that, according to my invention, I have provided valve means which, by proper insertion or removal of the plugs such as |34, |36, and |62 may be adapted, simply and inexpensively, for use in almostany sort of lluid-motor-controlling organization,

I claim as my invention:

1. Valve mechanism comprising a cylinder housing provided with a radial inlet port, a radial exhaust port peripherally spaced from said inlet port, a rst radial outlet port located peripherally between said inlet and exhaust ports, a second radiall outlet port located peripherally between said inlet and exhaust ports, said outlet ports being on opposite sides of a plane including the axis of said housing and the axis o1y said inlet port, a fth radial port and a sixth radial port peripherally spaced from each other 'and spaced in the direction of the'axis of said housing from said f ial reciprocation and oscillation relative thereinlet, exhaust, and outlet ports, and a second exhaust port spaced in the direction .of the axis of said housing from all of said ports, acylindrical valve received in said housing for axand registering, in all permissible positions of 301 'said valve, with said housing 1111er port and providingA alternatively, upon opposite oscilla- '1 tion ofsaid valve from a neutral position, communication between said housing inlet port and said housing outlet ports,v said valve further Ofk having a rst exhaust port opening from said first chamber and registering with said rstnamed housing exhaust port only when said valve is in its neutral position, said valve further having a first outlet port and a second outlet port opening radially from said first chamber, said valve outlet ports being oppositely spaced in the direction of the axis of said housing, but peripherally aligned with, said rst and second housing outlet ports when said valve is in its neutral position, said valve having a fifth port and a sixth port opening from said second chamber, said last-named ports being peripherally aligned with, but oppositely spaced from said housing fifth and sixth ports, respectively, in the direction of the axis of said housing, by amounts corresponding to the spacing of said valve outlet ports from said housing outlet ports, when said valve is in its neutral position, and said valve having a second exhaust port and a third exhaust port opening from said second chamber and peripherally aligned with said second housing exhaust port but oppositely spaced therefrom, in the direction of the axis of said housing, by amounts corresponding to the spacing of said valve outlet ports from said housing outlet ports, when said valve is in neutral position. v

2. The valve mechanism of claim 1 in which said valve is provided with two additional exhaust ports opening from said first chamber, said additional exhaust ports being peripherally aligned with said rst-named housing exhaust port and oppositely spaced therefrom, in the direction of the axis of said housing, by amounts corresponding to the spacing of said valve outlet ports from said housing'outlet ports, when said valve is in neutral position.

3. The valve mechanism of claim 2 including a plug removably seatable in each of said addi-` ll tional exhaust ports to seal the same against fluid passage therethrough.

4. The valve mechanism of claim 1 in which said valve port means comprises a single port having an axial extent greater than the axial spacing between said valve outlet ports and a peripheral extent greater than the minimum peripheral spacing between said housing inlet port and either of said housing outlet ports but less than the minimum peripheral spacing between said housing outlet ports.

5. The valve mechanism of claim 1 in which said valve port means .comprises an inlet port having an axial extent greater than the axial spacing between said valve outlet ports and two outlet ports axially aligned with, but peripherally oppositely spaced from, said housing outlet ports when said valve is in neutral position.

6. The valve mechanism of claim 1 in which said valve port means comprises an inlet port having an axial extent at least equal to the reciprocating stroke of said valve, as defined by said limiting means, and two outlet ports axially aligned with, but peripherally oppositely spaced from, said housing outlet ports when said valve is in neutral position.

7. The valve mechanism of claim 1 in which said limiting means comprises a socket penetrating the cylindrical surface of said valve and having a branch elongated in the direction of the i12 movement axially or peripherally relative to said housing and slidably engaging in said socket.

8. The valve mechanism of claim 7 in which said branches substantially bisect each other.

9. The valve mechanism of claim 7 in which said last-named means is a screw threadedly penetrating a radial opening in said housing.

l0. The valve mechanism of claim 7 in which one of said branches is radially deeper than the other and in which said last-named means is adjustable radially of said housing.

11. The valve mechanism of claim 9 in which one of said branches is radially deeper than the other. l

12 The valve mechanism of claim 1 including a removable plug removably associable with said rst exhaust port 'of said valve to seal the same against fluid iiow therethrough.

WALTER L. HARBAUGH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in thele of this patent:

UMTED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 1,935,119 Guild Nov. 14, 1933 2,362,944 Stephens Nov. 14, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 517,467 Great Britain of 1940 

